I already wrote about tidal bore SUP surfing in Alaska. This unique phenomenon only occurs in a small number of rivers around the world. Alaska's Cook Inlet is just one of them.
These tsunami-like waves are surfing's new frontier. They can travel for up to 20 miles an hour and can get even stronger as the river gets narrow and shallower, reaching recorded heights of up to 30 feet, offering riders opportunities that can't be found in the ocean.
But not every river has a bore. In fact, tidal bores only occur in an estimated 100 rivers in the world and only during extreme tidal ranges.
Recently, one of such rivers has been discovered ( and ridden ) by Rip Curl's pro surfing team in Indonesia. Hidden deep in the heart of the Indonesian jungle, the river is known to locals as "The Seven Ghosts". Normally, the waves on this river don't get more than head-high. The Rip Curl boys struck gold:
I've been hooked on SUP ever since I tried it for the first time two years ago. This summer I'm thinking about buying my first SUP ( stand up paddleboard ).
With the sport growing in popularity, there are a lot of companies, brands, types/shapes of boards to choose from. For somebody who has never done any board sports before, one might get a bit frustrated and overwhelmed with all these choices ( just like it was for me to choose my first snowboard ).
In short, choosing a SUP depends on just two major factors: your body type ( weight/height) and what you want to do with your SUP ( fitness/recreation; cruising/exploring; surfing; racing ).
Personally for me, the most important factor is the price. Thanks to the abundance of choices the prices for " general use SUP's" are slowly going down. It's common to see a SUP for sale on Craigslist for $500-700.
Many folks ( including me ) use old windsurfers for SUPing ( which honestly didn't work out well for me). Because many SUP's are huge and take a lot of space to store, some people opt for popular ( and cheap ! $300+ ) inflatable SUP's or hybrid stand-up-sit-on-top paddleboards like Nalu ( $549 ) or Emotion Kayak Traverse Paddle Board ( $371 ).
If you are a brand new beginner, my advice - try it before buying. Many shops during summer time offer free demos.
Here is Brian Szymanksi, a lifelong shaper and waterman, gives his thoughts about picking the right SUP for you:
And in cace you missed it, here is the expert's advice from REI to read more on the subject and watch a cool beginner's video.
Last year I wrote about the introduction of the PowerSki Jetboard, which made surfing accessible to not only diehard surfers, but also to "general public". And this year, it looks like other motor powered water toys are taking the world by storm.
This year, Surfango Inc., a New Jersey company that specializes in adding motors to human or nature-powered aquatic recreation toys, came up with two fun and amazing toys : Powersurf FX, a powered surfboard and Adventurer, a powered kayak.
I'd like to add this toy to my collection ( I'm even willing to get rid of my surfboard and kayak ), but couldn't find the price for none of those toys. Surfango Inc. has a local dealer in Shelton, WA ...but unfortunately their web site is inaccessible.
People are surprised to know that there is "surfing" in Washington state. They are even more surprised to know that the best surfing happens early spring/autumn. Though, sometimes North Pacific storms brew up giant swells ( up to 20ft), mostly the waves are pretty small ( 2-3 feet). That's what I found during my trip to La Push this winter for annual La Push Pummel.
For me , the trip was more about "discovering" that area for myself rather than actual surfing. I haven't traveled along HWY 101 for a long time, and the event was a great opportunity to drive along that truly scenic road.
I'd definitely call La Push/Forks area one of Washington's best getaways. Since the "Twilight boom" the area is swamped with fans, and the local Visitor Information Center even offers "Twilight map". But even if you are not a Twilight fan, there is a lot to do and to see around the area - Hoh Rain Forest, Kalaloch/Ruby Beaches, Ozette/Crescent Lakes, waterfalls and hot springs.
As usual, I was short on time, and since the weather that day was not as promised, I had time for just one quick dip, and it was worth 4 hour drive !
That was my first time surfing/visiting La Push/Forks are, and like I've just said, it's definitely a weekend ( if not week long ! ) getaway.
Last year I wrote about Boscombe Surf Reef , the first artificial surf reef in Boscombe, Dorset, UK. In my post I wrote that the reef had problems since early days ( the quality of the waves was not impressive, the rides were short and only reliable for bodyboarders ). According to the news, this year, the reef will be fine- tuned.
But Boscombe Surf Reef might not be the only place in Europe to surf man-made waves.
Located in the Basque Country, Northern Spain, Wavegarden gives people of all ages and surfing levels the ability to enjoy a beach environment and a real surfing experience...beyond the oceans of the world.
Just like Boscombe Surf Reef, Wavegarden leaves more to be desired. Wave are consistent, but small and short ( you can make about 3 or 4 turns on it’s glassy wave face if you’re quick, before it hits a bank at the end of the pond ).
Good news ( for both Boscombe Surf Reef and Wavegarden ) is there is a big and bright future in man-made wave pools/surfing waves : they are getting bigger, longer, cleaner...
I have a strong feeling that Alaska might be the next surfing and stand up paddling destination in US. If not, surfing and SUPing in Alaska will be another great outdoor activity/adventure along with sea kayaking, heli-skiing, mountaineering and general cruising everybody should try.
As I wrote in my previous post, surfing in Alaska can bring a sense of nirvana that few boarders ever get a chance to experience in places like Hawaii and California.
The Cook Inlet on Alaska's south coast is one of three places in North America where tidal bores have been observed. The bores that vary in sizes from just six inches to six feet high, allow surfers to ride from 20 seconds to a few minutes.
But the size of the Turnagain Arm, a 43 mile long and 1000 feet deep channel of water, gave surfers a unique opportunity to ride the roaring waves for up to half-an-hour. If you haven't had a chance to visit SurfAlaska.net, I strongly recommend. Even if you are not into surfing or any other board/extreme sports, just looking at these amazing pictures makes you realize that there is still some wild frontier left in the world.
If you are a fan of water skiing/wakeboarding/surfing/kiteboarding in the summer and alpine skiing in winter, you can combine your passion of these sports in one - wave skiing.
Mike Douglas, a producer of a TV series called “Salomon Freeski TV” that covers every part of the freeskiing world,and his fellow pro skier Cody Townsend put on alpine ski boots and installed alpine ski bindings on a pair of custom made skis to ski on big waves in the Maui surf to pioneer a new sport: wave skiing.
So, the obvious question is - how do you get up on a wave on skis?
They got towed in by jetskis using the same setup as a tow surfer.
But even bigger question is - what's going to happen when you're trying to swim in the ocean with ski boots on ?
Now we just need to bring surfing to the slopes. Real surfboards, sliding down the slopes. I mean, why not ? It'll be fun.
When you think of surfing/SUPing , immediately a beautiful picture comes to your mind : crystal clear blue sky, lot's of sunshine, sandy beach...You imagine yourself somewhere in Hawaii, Florida, California, Alaska...Wait, what ? It doesn’t sound quite right does it?
Well, for some people the idea of surfing in Alaska doesn't seem crazy at all...
With something like 47,000 tidal shoreline miles in Alaska, and with ample swell activity pumping through the North Pacific year round, there’s certainly no shortage of good waves. According to local surfers, the potential is absolutely mind-blowing.
Riding a 10 minute tanker wave in the heat of Texas is one thing, but catching a mile long tidal bore wave in the mid-40s to mid-50s water is different.
Cold weather does not need to mean the end of surfing for 6 months. Just take some precautions and enjoy the challenge !
For more amazing pictures and videos, visit SurfAlaska.net
If the idea of surfing in Alaska is not extreme enough for you, may be Surfing in the Arctic Circle will give you goosebumps.
In my post " Too old for adventure ? " I wrote about Doris Matyasovich, a competitive MTB ( mountain biking ) racer, who started racing at age 45, and continued way into her late 60 ( she was 67 at the time of the article)...
According to The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa online survey ( summer 2010), 7% of the RAGBRAI cyclists were 65 or older. The average age of the Adventure Cycling Association's members is the mid-40s, with a spread of ages from the 20s to the 70s and occasionally the 80s. Although the Outdoor Industry Foundation reports that 27% of the bike riders in the US are 45 or older...
OK, we get it, old folks love biking. But what about something more extreme ?
Meet Poul Rasmussen from Denmark. His passion - kiteboarding. And his only ...85 ! He learned to kiteboard early in his 80's and absolutely loved it. He is so passionate about this sport that he can be found kiteboarding in below-freezing weather, and actively encourages other seniors to try it. He states in his interview that "50 - 60 years of age is nothing! Go live your life and I bet that you'll live longer and have more fun."
There aren’t too many 80+ surfer dudes in the world. But since 1940, John Zabotocky has been riding Hawaiian waves in Waikiki, and at 89, he was still a regular beachboy surfer.
It's not unusual to see people skiing or snowboarding in their late 50's , but skateboarding ?
Donna Vano, 56, holds three Guinness World Records as the Oldest Inline Vert Skater in the World, the Most Gold Medals in the USASA in all 5 disciplines, and the Oldest Female Amateur Snowboarder Competing in Pro Tours in the Superpipe. When Donna is not competing, you can find her at home, skating on the 11-foot ramp in her backyard.
Is climbing Everest on your Bucket List ? Don't be discouraged by the danger of climbing this mountain ( and the price you'll have to pay to climb it). The oldest person to have climbed Mount Everest is a Nepalese Sherpa called Min Bahadur Sherchan. He was 76 years and 340 days old when he reached the summit.
Still trying to find courage to take that leap of faith and try skydiving ? Frank Moody was 101 when he did it !
Young adults dominate the thrill seekers, but older people are jumping in as well. Skydiving, hang gliding, rock climbing, mountaineering, bungee jumping, white-water rafting, scuba diving and other extreme sports have all shown huge increases in participation.
Just because your body is starting to make funny noises and your kids have their own kids, it does not mean you are getting old. You still have plenty to do before the nursing home comes to claim you. Just don’t let that term life insurance agent know !
Are there any "extreme adventures" you think you are too old for ? Other than age ( and fear) is there anything else that stops you from trying something adventurous ?
They say : "Westport is Washington's premier place to surf..." .
I was looking forward to my first visit to this unofficial " surf capital of Washington". I heard a lot about unpredictable coastal weather : the average water temperature ranges from 40 to almost 60 degrees, enormous changes in the tide and wind that create gritty, unstable conditions, and waves that go from small in the summer to overhead in the winter making it tough getting good surf here.
It was all true. When I arrived there in the morning , it was ...depressing. Cold spring temperature, high, powerful wind, and dripping rain almost killed my desire to go into water. Besides, ( as usual ) I showed up unprepared, not even knowing where to surf.
Without even knowing it, I was just a mile away from Westhaven State Park, which is " Surf Central at Westport ".
Westport's waves are often too big to surf in the winter, but late spring and summer bring smaller waves, lighter breezes, and more surfers. At some point, I thought I would be the only " crazy " person with a board, but to my relief, there were more people than I expected.
The park has plenty of parking, bathrooms and hot showers. Westhaven offers three main places to surf: The Cove, the Jetty and "the Groins ".
As I still consider myself a beginner, I started at at The Jetty, that has lots of nice whitewater waves, and those are the best to learn or to improve your rusty skills on.
The water was cold, but I was ...super hot. I was wearing my diving 7 mm suit, and after spending 1.5 hours, I was sweating and couldn't really notice I was in cold water.
In the afternoon the sun came out, and for a moment it felt like I was in Hawaii or, at least, in California during winter.
If you haven't noticed it, we are not in Hawaii. And though, surfing is relatively popular activity in Northwest, it's not entirely enjoyed even by surfing enthusiasts here : cold weather, long drive to the coast, and most importantly - unpredictable swell, doesn't make it the most popular NW outdoor activity.
Well, now you don't have to rely on the ocean and waves ! You can take this "surfboard " on Lake Union, Lake Washington or anywhere else !
JetBoard is a "surfboard " with an ingenuously small and flat 45 horsepower motor capable of propelling the board to 40 mph. With the rear thrust, rail and the three fins beneath, the JetBoard carves better than anything else on water, tarmac or snow, generating G-forces up to 6G and enabling the rider to get almost horizontal. The JetBoard never cavitates or slides out, enabling a standing rider to perform continuous, stable, high speed turns with slight shifts in weight.
With incredible manoeuvrability and immense power, the JetBoard is not just applicable to flat water - it has the speed to use waves in both directions - from getting massive air off small to moderate surf, all the way up to positioning yourself anywhere you want on the wall of monster reef surf.
I think that so far, JetBoard is one of the most radical water toys ever invented...and I want one ! It looks like a lot of fun :
Ask any Washingtonian to list a number of outdoor activities, and he will spill it out : hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, climbing, camping and so on. What about surfing ? " Not really our Northwest thing " - you will be told. Not true.
Surfing may not be as popular as skiing, biking or hiking in Washington , but there are people who are brave ( or crazy, you would say ) enough to take on cold NW 4-9ft summer swells .
Two popular spots are Ocean Shores and Westport, with Ocean Shores being more of a recreational spot and Westport - " NW surfing mecca."
Westport is a pretty good bet in the summer, and believe it or not it gets crowded on week ends. Late spring and summer bring smaller waves, lighter breezes. Spring through fall is the time for most surfers. In the spring, the surf starts to dial down, and in fall it starts to dial up again.
No matter the season, surfers need full wetsuits - including gloves, hoods and booties - as the water is always in the 50-degree range. But with a good wet suit, it’s no longer painful to spend a few hours in the water ( make sure you wear full body skins under wetsuit and wool socks with your booties ).
If you are new to the sport, start on a long board. A 9 (10 )-foot long board is for more powerful movements, and its size makes it more stable, easier to stand up and keep your balance.
If learning through trial and error is not your thing, check out local surf shops for lessons and rentals. Learning how to surf is challenging ( in NW - miserable ) , but fun experience.
I would not say that surfing is super popular in the Northwest. But we do have lots of people who enjoy catching an occasional ''big wave'' in the cold Pacific.Though not the most popular for surfing, Ocean Shores is sure a great place to have fun.Its a great place for variety of activities : beach walking,beach horseback riding, biking and of course surfing. The local surf shop rents everything you need : board, wetsuit,booties.
or hybrid stand-up-sit-on-top paddleboards like 
( $549 ) or 
( $371 ).
